EPD6893: Tapering Effexor Troubles

April 11Apr 11

Author

1 hour ago, RachelSusan said:

@EDP6893 Waking up is part of withdrawal, it is a very ugly part of it. Do you just wake up or do you wake up startled with with we call cortisol spikes? That would be waking up abruptly, sometimes with a racing heart, trembling, maybe anxious? That is the very worst. Are you able to get back to sleep? While I know it will pass I'm just very sorry that you are going through it now.

I wasn't able to go back to sleep last night :(

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

1

April 11Apr 11

@EDP6893 Sorry to hear that. You have my compassion.

I am not a health professional in any way, and I do not give medical advice. These are only my opinions. Any decisions about your medical care should be discussed with a qualified medical professional.

If you would like to reach me, please post on my thread and tag @rachelsusan, or post on your thread and tag in the same way, so I will see it. 😀😀😀

HISTORY FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 18, 2026: 200 mg to 195 mg (2.5% reduction), May 18, 2026: 195 mg to 187.5 mg (3.85% reduction), June 28, 2026: 187.5 mg to 185 mg (1.33% reduction)

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft.

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM ANOTHER SITE - WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL

Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

My thread at SA - https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/12649-☼-rachelsusan-zoloft-on-off-and-reinstated/page/28/

Started my Gabapentin reduction. Transitioned to partial liquid, 100mg in liquid and a 100mg capsule for a total of a 200mg dose. Dose three times a day for a total of 600mg a day. April 18 2026 first cut to 195mg (2.5%). May 18, 2026 to 187.5 (3.85%), June 28, 2026 to 185 (1.33%).

1

April 11Apr 11

Author

18 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

@EDP6893 Sorry to hear that. You have my compassion.

How long do you think it could take me to overcome this wave? I've started taking vitamin d and omega 3 supplements to help me while I'm trapped at home.

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

April 11Apr 11

10 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:

How long do you think it could take me to overcome this wave? I've started taking vitamin d and omega 3 supplements to help me while I'm trapped at home.

Hi @EDP6893 I'm very sorry about this hellish wave and the troubled night, it's extremely difficult but very common, unfortunately we have no way of knowing how long it will take but we know for sure that it will pass and so on until the system finds balance, sadly it's something we all have to deal with.

I would appreciate knowing if the vitD and Omega you're taking are due to a deficiency and has there been a change in your symptoms since you started?

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 20% 0.0358g (2mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of anxiety and sleep that seems to continue to improve.

1

April 11Apr 11

@EDP6893 have you had a urine test done to rule out a UTI? It is less common for men but does happen. Do you drink lots of water? It the burning when urinating and an urge to urinate? Or is it more skin/nerve related?

Vitamin D can be activating for some. When did you start it? It is always best to start at a very low dose.

Have you tried EFT? This link shows how...it is very easy to do...I even do it in bed when I can't sleep and it relaxed me and helps me fall back to sleep.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/138-eft-emotional-freedom-technique-tapping/?do=getNewComment

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/200mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

April 11Apr 11

Author

6 minutes ago, Fullhealing said:

Hi @EDP6893 I'm very sorry about this hellish wave and the troubled night, it's extremely difficult but very common, unfortunately we have no way of knowing how long it will take but we know for sure that it will pass and so on until the system finds balance, sadly it's something we all have to deal with.

I would appreciate knowing if the vitD and Omega you're taking are due to a deficiency and has there been a change in your symptoms since you started?

I've had them for a while but haven't used them. Now that I am stuck at home I think I should be taking them to protect myself from the consequences from not leaving the house.

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

April 11Apr 11

Author

5 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

@EDP6893 have you had a urine test done to rule out a UTI? It is less common for men but does happen. Do you drink lots of water? It the burning when urinating and an urge to urinate? Or is it more skin/nerve related?

Vitamin D can be activating for some. When did you start it? It is always best to start at a very low dose.

Have you tried EFT? This link shows how...it is very easy to do...I even do it in bed when I can't sleep and it relaxed me and helps me fall back to sleep.

https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/138-eft-emotional-freedom-technique-tapping/?do=getNewComment

7 months ago I did a bunch of uti tests and had a bladder ultra sound but they found nothing.

I started vitamin d 2 days ago.

Haven't tried eft. I don't like meditation and it doesn't work for me.

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

April 11Apr 11

4 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:

Haven't tried eft.

This might be good then...just tapping on acupoints that send relaxing signals to the brain.

Glad you ruled out a UTI.

6 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:

started vitamin d 2 days ago.

What dose? Is it a tablet or gel cap?

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/200mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

April 11Apr 11

Author

42 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

What dose? Is it a tablet or gel cap?

It's a small tablet of 1000 U (something like that don't remember)

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

April 11Apr 11

1 minute ago, EDP6893 said:

small tablet of 1000 U (something like that don't remember)

Maybe you could cut it in half or a quarter just to start a bit smaller in case it activates you. Hopefully tonight will be better. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/200mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

April 12Apr 12

Author

16 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Maybe you could cut it in half or a quarter just to start a bit smaller in case it activates you. Hopefully tonight will be better. ❤️🙏

I didn't wake up in the night at least but this genital pain is really bad still.

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

1

April 12Apr 12

6 hours ago, EDP6893 said:

didn't wake up in the night

This is great news...sounds like the vitamin D is fine. 🎉🎉🎉

6 hours ago, EDP6893 said:

genital pain is really bad still.

Does heat help? I often use a heating pad for pain. Sometimes it gives relief. I wish it was easier for us all. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/200mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1

April 14Apr 14

Author

It's been about a whole week now of being in so much pain I need to keep going to the toilet all the time.

I hope it goes away soon.

The waking up in the night hasn't come back since those 2 times, but I have also been getting to sleep at 2 and 3am again.

Acid rebound flared up a lot today. Don't know why. Very painful.

Edited April 14Apr 14 by EDP6893

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

April 14Apr 14

1 hour ago, EDP6893 said:

It's been about a whole week now of being in so much pain I need to keep going to the toilet all the time.

I hope it goes away soon.

Im sorry to hear. Can take such a long time for things to settle.

1 hour ago, EDP6893 said:

The waking up in the night hasn't come back since those 2 times, but I have also been getting to sleep at 2 and 3am again.

Good this hasnt come back. Getting some sleep is good. Better to sleep earlier so your system is in sync with natural light, but if you are sleeping, you are sleeping and this is great.

1 hour ago, EDP6893 said:

Acid rebound flared up a lot today. Don't know why. Very painful.

Not good. Im so sorry. Maybe as you start to imporve your diet, this will reduce a little. It could be that it will.

You are doing great. Hang in there. I know its tough for you atm.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

1

April 14Apr 14

@EDP6893 Sorry you are suffering so. Good to hear that you are not waking up at night. Hang in there buddy.

I am not a health professional in any way, and I do not give medical advice. These are only my opinions. Any decisions about your medical care should be discussed with a qualified medical professional.

If you would like to reach me, please post on my thread and tag @rachelsusan, or post on your thread and tag in the same way, so I will see it. 😀😀😀

HISTORY FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 18, 2026: 200 mg to 195 mg (2.5% reduction), May 18, 2026: 195 mg to 187.5 mg (3.85% reduction), June 28, 2026: 187.5 mg to 185 mg (1.33% reduction)

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft.

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM ANOTHER SITE - WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL

Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

My thread at SA - https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/12649-☼-rachelsusan-zoloft-on-off-and-reinstated/page/28/

Started my Gabapentin reduction. Transitioned to partial liquid, 100mg in liquid and a 100mg capsule for a total of a 200mg dose. Dose three times a day for a total of 600mg a day. April 18 2026 first cut to 195mg (2.5%). May 18, 2026 to 187.5 (3.85%), June 28, 2026 to 185 (1.33%).

2

April 15Apr 15

Author

Yesterday I FINALLY had a day where the pain wasn't bad enough to make me go to the toilet every 5 mins, it was back to once every 2 hours again. The waking up in the night hasn't come back either afaik. But I am getting to sleep at 3am still.

I hope that extra pain doesn't come back today or anytime soon.

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

1

April 15Apr 15

1 hour ago, EDP6893 said:
Yesterday I FINALLY had a day where the pain wasn't bad enough to make me go to the toilet every 5 mins, it was back to once every 2 hours again. The waking up in the night hasn't come back either afaik. But I am getting to sleep at 3am still.

I hope that extra pain doesn't come back today or anytime soon.

Great to see you are finally improving after all these months.... sleep might be one of the last things to resolve...I thought I was going to sleep until like 7am due to the hour change in USA, but I guess not. I'm still going to sleep at 10pm and still wake up at 530am. The only difference is that if I'm lucky, I can probably push my sleep until 7 am...it's not always...

08/01/2009- Klonopin 1mg, but took only .25.mg when needed before I was out on paraxotine

08/01/2012 - Paraxotine 20 mg

12/2024- reinstated 5mg after cold turkey.

10/01/2024- 4.79mg (.0716g) holding until further notice........04/17/26 resumed taper 0714g (4.78mg). 05/20/2026- .0712g (4.76mg, .28% cut). 06/09/2026- .0708g (4.73mg .56% cut). 06/30/2026 - .0706g (4.72mg .33%).

1

April 15Apr 15

2 hours ago, EDP6893 said:
Yesterday I FINALLY had a day where the pain wasn't bad enough to make me go to the toilet every 5 mins, it was back to once every 2 hours again. The waking up in the night hasn't come back either afaik. But I am getting to sleep at 3am still.

I hope that extra pain doesn't come back today or anytime soon.

So pleased to see some improvement there for you. 😀

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

2

April 16Apr 16

14 hours ago, EDP6893 said:
Yesterday I FINALLY had a day where the pain wasn't bad enough to make me go to the toilet every 5 mins, it was back to once every 2 hours again. The waking up in the night hasn't come back either afaik. But I am getting to sleep at 3am still.

I hope that extra pain doesn't come back today or anytime soon.

So pleased for you @EDP6893 remember that improvements come in small and continue to slowly grow over time.

I think I have already mentioned to you that I suffered for months with a symptom similar to yours, it was so awful and just when I thought there was no way out of it a significant improvement began that has lasted a week or even more, so every symptom that exists or will come has an expiration date.

Continue to be brave and cope so well.

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 20% 0.0358g (2mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of anxiety and sleep that seems to continue to improve.

2

April 16Apr 16

Author

18 hours ago, Raymond said:
Great to see you are finally improving after all these months.... sleep might be one of the last things to resolve...I thought I was going to sleep until like 7am due to the hour change in USA, but I guess not. I'm still going to sleep at 10pm and still wake up at 530am. The only difference is that if I'm lucky, I can probably push my sleep until 7 am...it's not always...

Thanks. I hope your sleep recovers soon.

17 hours ago, Chippy said:
So pleased to see some improvement there for you. 😀

Yesterday was also better. Today so far is better too, but we'll see.

4 hours ago, Fullhealing said:
So pleased for you @EDP6893 remember that improvements come in small and continue to slowly grow over time.
I think I have already mentioned to you that I suffered for months with a symptom similar to yours, it was so awful and just when I thought there was no way out of it a significant improvement began that has lasted a week or even more, so every symptom that exists or will come has an expiration date.
Continue to be brave and cope so well.

Thanks. =)

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

1

April 16Apr 16

Just now, EDP6893 said:
Yesterday was also better. Today so far is better too, but we'll see.

Good :)

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

1

April 16Apr 16

38 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:
Yesterday was also better. Today so far is better too, but we'll see.

Yay! enjoy it to the fullest 😊

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 20% 0.0358g (2mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of anxiety and sleep that seems to continue to improve.

April 16Apr 16

Author

In the last hour the worse pain came back suddenly.

Edited April 16Apr 16 by EDP6893

Late 2020 stop Effexor 350mg in 2 months by psychiatrist. Withdrawal and new disability (functional reflux/ibs)

Late 2021 stop abilify on my own. Goes perfectly fine.

Late 2022 Effexor 37.5mg

Late 2024 Trying to Taper Effexor again

November 2024 -Stopped amitriptyline in order to switch to Fluoxetine.

December 2024 -Stopped Effexor 56.5mg and switched to Fluoxetine 20mg.

January 2025 -Reduced Fluoxetine 20mg to 10mg.

June 2025 - Started Daridorexant
Late March 2026 - Stopped Daridorexant

Current medications:

-Morning: Fluoxetine 10mg, omeprazole 20mg, famotadine 20mg

-Evening: Omeprazole 20mg, omeprazole 10mg, famotadine 20mg

Still going through withdrawal hell.

April 16Apr 16

11 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:
In the last hour the worse pain came back suddenly.

You

13 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:
In the last hour the worse pain came back suddenly.

You will get better. I got work fear back again. My last six months have been difficult....I wish this goes away soon, but it's a slow process...

08/01/2009- Klonopin 1mg, but took only .25.mg when needed before I was out on paraxotine

08/01/2012 - Paraxotine 20 mg

12/2024- reinstated 5mg after cold turkey.

10/01/2024- 4.79mg (.0716g) holding until further notice........04/17/26 resumed taper 0714g (4.78mg). 05/20/2026- .0712g (4.76mg, .28% cut). 06/09/2026- .0708g (4.73mg .56% cut). 06/30/2026 - .0706g (4.72mg .33%).

1

April 16Apr 16

20 minutes ago, EDP6893 said:
In the last hour the worse pain came back suddenly.

It's especially tough after a relief but unfortunately it's a wavey process, it will go as it comes, no doubt.

Hang in there, you're coping really well.

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 20% 0.0358g (2mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of anxiety and sleep that seems to continue to improve.

1

EPD6893: Tapering Effexor Troubles

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